A Non-Partisan Civic Participation Project

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power maybe of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed … we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9; 13a (NKJV)

VESSELS are people of faith -- clergy, pastors, ministry and community leaders, men, women and young adults -- firmly committed to increasing civic participation in communities that traditionally have been disenfranchised or discriminated against. VESSELS provides a non-partisan way to engage in the political process that resonates with the identity of faith communities. VESSELS stand firmly against apathy, disengagement and voter suppression tactics. VESSELS create opportunities to conduct non-partisan voter registration, voter information and voter (issue) education to maximize the participation of informed voting age African Americans in the electoral process in every special, local, state, national election.

Vote with a vision and values in mind for the environment, schools, families, jobs, a better city, a better county, a stronger state!

Equip themselves and others with a spirit of “light to shine out of darkness”!

Strengthen the presence of their church and community at every precinct!

Stand and support participation in the democratic process!

Encourage and embrace their individual and collective power to make wise decisions about representation in the state house, the Governor’s mansion and the halls of Congress.

Leave excuses and apathy at home -- they know their vote does count in every election!

Step into the voting booth, pause, pray, give thanks for the opportunity to speak with clarity, cast their vote and give praise for good stewardship of one of God’s many blessings -- the right to vote!

Micah Leadership Council

Micah Leadership Council is a formal network of ministers and emerging faith leaders:

between the ages of 25-40

self-identified as progressive

engaged in their communities with faith-based organizations and/or places of worship
committed to civic engagement and social justice

Members of the Micah Leadership Council will have the opportunity to support VESSELS by merging the success of traditional Civil Rights strategies of mobilizing and organizing with today’s communication opportunities and social media networks, bridging the gap between generations, and helping young African American adults recognize the power they wield and the difference they make when they vote!

Women of VESSELS

According to the Pew Research Center,the voter turnout rate among eligible African American women voters increased 5.1 percentage points, from 63.7% in 2004 to 68.8% in 2008. Overall, among all racial, ethnic and gender groups, African American women had the highest voter turnout rate in November's election -- a first. With African American women making up 53% of the African American vote, they have the potential to shape and affect national, state and local elections. The VESSELS project provides African American women with non-partisan, civic engagement tools, techniques, and activities that they can utilize in their respective ministries and communities.

For more information on VESSELS or to schedule a training, please email vesselsvote@pfaw.org or call (202) 467-4999 and ask for the VESSELS program.